Meerdink Double Fires Netherlands Past Serbia to Give Xavi First Win
Mexx Meerdink struck twice as the Netherlands secured their first victory under new head coach Xavi, overcoming Serbia 2-1 at the Stadion Rajko Mitic in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday.
Following a 1-1 draw against Germany in Xavi's opening game in charge—saved only by a late Cody Gakpo equaliser—the Dutch delivered a resilient display in Belgrade to collect all three points and move to the top of Group A2.
The visitors suffered an early setback when Gakpo was forced off through injury in the first half, making way for Ruben van Bommel. However, the Netherlands broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when Crysencio Summerville was brought down inside the penalty area by Aleksa Terzic. Meerdink stepped up to the spot and calmly dispatched his penalty into the bottom-right corner.
Denzel Dumfries had an opportunity to double the advantage before the interval after being set up by Meerdink, but Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic made a sharp save from a tight angle.
Second-Half Drama and Decisive Winner
Serbia mounted an immediate response, equalising just 54 seconds into the second half. Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen pulled off two impressive stops to keep out Luka Jovic and Andrija Zivkovic, but Sasa Lukic's scuffed effort fell kindly for Jovic, who turned the ball home from close range.
The Oranje quickly regained control and piled pressure on the home side. Van Bommel rattled the woodwork with a bouncing effort, while Ryan Gravenberch tested Milinkovic-Savic from distance. Their persistence paid off in the 69th minute when substitute Guus Til found Meerdink on the slide to guide the ball into the bottom-right corner and restore the lead.
Serbia pushed for an equaliser, with Jovic heading narrowly wide from a Dusan Tadic corner, but the Netherlands held firm through the closing stages.
Meerdink Seizes His Opportunity
Meerdink, who was initially omitted from the squad before receiving a late call-up alongside Til following injuries to Justin Kluivert and Donyell Malen, proved decisive in Belgrade. The AZ striker finished with a team-high three shots on target as the Netherlands generated 2.75 expected goals (xG) from 25 shots, compared to Serbia's 1.41 xG from 11 attempts.
Xavi's side now turn their attention to a trip to Greece on Thursday before closing out the international window with a home clash against Serbia on October 4.